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Biography For Gilbert Bannerman

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Author:
Bill Hart

Background:

Gilbert Bannerman was born in Eagle, Waukesha County, Wisconsin on April 28, 1900 to Mr. & Ms. Adolph Bannerman.  At age 17, he volunteered in the U.S. Navy during WWI.  During WWII he received a special certificate of recognition from the US Army for meritorious service. He graduated from Palmyra High School in 1918, received his bachelor’s degree at Lawrence University in 1923 and his master’s degree at the University of Chicago in 1932.  He did additional work at Harvard, Wisconsin, Leland Stanford, Minnesota, Columbia and Denver universities and Colorado State College.  

Accomplishments:

Gilbert “Gib” Bannerman came to Wausau in 1923 as a teacher of history and government at Senior High School.He married Letha Dambruch in Appleton on June 10, 1924.  After three years he was named principal of Wausau Junior High School, and in 1937 he became principal of the high school.  In 1947 he was named superintendent of schools, succeeding Everett C. Hirsch.  He also taught two summers at Colorado State University. 

Mr. Bannerman was a life member of and served as president of the Wisconsin Education Association (WEA) in 1948.  He served as chairman of the state board of education study of the WEA.  He was also a past president and honorary life member of the Wisconsin Veteran School Masters Association, served on the Governor’s Commission on Human Rights and was an honorary member of the Wisconsin Drivers and Traffic Safety Education Association.  On the national level, he was a member of the American Legion national Committee on Education and Scholarships, a life member of the National Education Association, and a member of the National Education Association Commission on Safety Education.  

In 1963 he was one of 95 school administrators selected to spend six weeks in Sweden as guests of the Swedish government, visiting its schools and advising the government on possible changes. 

He authored two books, “Safety Through Education,” and “Trees for Tomorrow.”  He also wrote numerous articles for the nation’s educational periodicals.  At one point in his career, he was offered the post of assistant state superintendent of public instruction, but he turned down the offer.

 

Mr. Bannerman retired in 1966 after 43 years with the Wausau school system, the last 20 as superintendent.  Mr. Bannerman died at his Wausau home on November 8, 1971.  He is buried in Restlawn Memorial Park in Wausau, WI.

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Other Information

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Nickname: Gib

Date of Birth: 1900-4-28

Place of Birth: Wisconsin

Date of Death: 1971-11-8

Place of Death: Wisconsin

Place of Burial: Restlawn Memorial Park Wausau, WI

Race: W

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